Question
What are the symptoms of pediatric pneumonia?
Answer
The symptoms of pediatric pneumonia include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, poor mental state, and decreased appetite. When a child has pneumonia, they often exhibit fever, with body temperatures typically above 38°C and lasting for two to three days. Antipyretic drugs may only temporarily lower the temperature for a short period before it rises again. While children with colds may also have fever, their temperatures are usually below 38°C and the duration is shorter. The effects of antipyretic drugs are also more pronounced in colds. To assess whether a child has pneumonia, one must also consider their coughing and breathing. Generally, children with colds or bronchitis cough and wheeze intermittently and do not experience difficulty breathing. If the coughing and wheezing are severe and the child’s breathing rate increases at rest, it indicates a more serious condition that should not be ignored. The child’s mental state is another indicator; if they are alert and active despite fever and cough, the likelihood of pneumonia is lower. Conversely, if the child is lethargic, has bluish lips, is restless or cries excessively or is lethargic, the possibility of pneumonia increases. In the early stages of pneumonia, a child’s mental state may not change significantly or they may become less active. Regarding appetite, children with pneumonia often experience a significant decrease in appetite, refusing to eat or crying during feedings. If a child is diagnosed with pneumonia, it is important to continue feeding them. If their appetite decreases, it should be encouraged with small meals multiple times a day for infants on formula. Listening to the chest can also be helpful; children’s chest walls are thin, sometimes allowing parents to hear wheezing without a stethoscope. To listen to your child’s chest, ensure the room temperature is above 18°C, remove their shirt, and gently place your ear against their chestbone on either side to listen for any sounds during breathing. Children with pneumonia may produce a “rattling” sound during inhalation that doctors refer to as wheezing. This is an important sign of lung inflammation.